Death In Hamlet Essay

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Death as Mediation between Hamlet and a Weary Life Death is perhaps the greatest mystery of the world, which no person can solve because no person has lived through death and returned to report about it. Throughout Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet believes that he can dictate death; when, where he will die and by what means. In the end death conquers all, as evident in the play- everyone dies. Hamlet’s depression drives him away from life, and causes him to form a personified relationship with death. This relationship is also observed in Alan Seeger’s “I Have a Rendezvous with Death” where the soldier from World War 1, narrator, describes death as a person who “shall take [his] hand/And lead [him] into [death’s] dark land” (Seeger 7-8). Hamlet …show more content…

He sees death as a refuge, shelter or protection from danger (Dictionary.com), because such “outrageous fortune[s]”, “a sea of troubles”, or the “calamity of so long life” (3.1.58-69) cannot be found in death. Hamlet feels that life is a burden and in death, suicide, this burden can be lifted off his shoulders. Thus, death will relieve his ongoing depression. Claudius and Gertrude prevent Hamlet from returning to Wittenberg, thus trapping him in Denmark and so his only escape would be to kill himself. Hamlet fears “the dread of something after death/The undiscover’d country, from whose bourn/ No traveller returns” (3.1.78-80), and this fear is what prevents him from committing suicide. Hamlet longs for death to relieve the agony of his weary life. The soldier in contrast, to Hamlet, wishes to die “Pillowed in silk and scented down […] in blissful sleep” (Seeger17-18); the soldier wishes to die in peace. Which alludes to the fact that the soldier has made peace with his fate whereas Hamlet has not. Hamlet’s theatre production is a distraction from this reality. He preoccupies himself with “catch[ing] the conscience of the king” (2.2.592). Hamlet uses the players to force a reaction of guilt from Claudius for the murder of King Hamlet. He succeeds which causes a brief feeling of satisfaction that he has tormented Claudius. Hamlet is avoiding reality (he cannot avenge his father’s death because it is …show more content…

However when Claudius sends Hamlet to England, Hamlet meets one of Fortinbras’ soldiers. Hamlet learns of Fortinbras plans and finds him a chivalrous man. Influenced by Fortinbras courage and sense of duty Hamlet realizes that his “honour’s at the stake […] have a father kill’d, a mother stain’d […] while to my shame I see” (4.4.56-59). Hamlet must defend his honour whatever the cost may be, even if he were to pay with his life. He still wishes for his death but not to seek refuge from pain, rather to protect his honour and dignity. This shows an attitude change because now he has a reason to avenge his father’s murder (Kubresli). Hamlet sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to their deaths, and returns to Denmark. He realizes that death is unavoidable, and now he embraces it for honour not relief of pain. This is a critical turning point in Hamlet’s perception of

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